Announcement

**Arnelos** · November 12, 2002, 00:14

(a) The Foreign Affairs Minister has sole power over exchanges and trade agreements with other nations.

I tend to be very aggressive with mapwhoring and techwhoring, however I will certainly not be the only person in the Ministry working on this (as I would CERTAINLY delegate at least double-checking all numbers on this to a deputy minister, like E_T and adaMada were under Togas).

As for tech buys, that will largely be something I'll have to do in conjuction with the President and the Senate, as the slider is decided by the President and the budget is decided by the President and the Senate. I can't very well be buying techs unless I'm consulting with the Senate. Personally, my STYLE in positions like this is to attempt to frequently consult with the legislative body where possible. I would expect that I would have to work closely with whichever Senators are involved in budgetary matters and foreign policy matters.

It is also my intention to promote the posting (as I can't post myself if I'm FAM) of official polls where possible on such matters (where time permits). This will also, obviously, mean I'll need a fairly good working relationship with members of the Senate particularly interested in budgetary, science, and foreign policy matters.

(b) The Foreign Affairs Minister may spend gold to establish embassies, but only after the approval of either the President or Senate.

We're eventually going to need embassies with the remaining civs, but I don't see it as a critical issue for now (with the notable exception of any civ that we need specific things from for which an embassy is required). I'm fully willing to be convinced differently on the matter, however. This is an issue that will obviously need a Senate discussion and bill under the NewCon, along with Presidential approval, so that's a lot more hoopes to jump through for the FAM

. I believe I am MORE THAN CAPABLE of that part of the job... but this isn't really the controversial part of this position.

(c) The Foreign Affairs Minister may spend gold on Espionage, but only after the approval of either the President or Senate.

I'm tempted to run this area myself, as it's not terribly large (even AFTER we build our Intelligence Agency, which likely won't be in the next term) and because I happen to have personal interest in the area. I'm also quite open to using spies to incite a diplomatic incident that gets a civilization to declare war on us. Though that would mean a rep hit, it would give us that 5 additional turns with reduced war weariness while playing as a Democracy. That could be critical in the coming term. The rep hit is a major issue, however, which I assume is the reason why the Senate and the President get the final say on this.

(d) The Foreign Affairs Minister may enter into Right of Passage Agreements, but only after the approval of either the President or Supreme Military Commander.

This is more controversial and more likely what people are interested in hearing from me about.

I do not like RoPs.

The only time I will sign a RoP, would be in the following (very limited) circumstances:

1. We are at war with a civilization we can't easily reach and we can get a RoP with a civilization in between with a decent railroad network. This so incredibly unlikely that you can probably just discount it.

2. If we and an ally are at war with a civilization that is next to us, but not our ally (which is blocked by our empire). Especially if we have railroads, signing a RoP in this case would be dependent on whether we WANT our ally to help us out (we MAY not...). For instance, if we want total annexation of the enemy, we may not sign the RoP. On the other hand, if we're outmatched (though I fail to see how...), then a RoP would be seriously considered.

3. The RoP is with a civilization halfway around the world who for some oddball reason wants to sell us a critical tech and signing a RoP will reduce the cost by at least a respectable amount. This isn't terribly likely, either... but, just in case.

(e) The Foreign Affairs Minister negotiates peace agreements, but only after the approval of either the President or Supreme Military Commander.

While I really didn't like this rule when the NewCon because I didn't like how the FAM could just pick which one to listen to (SMC or President), I can partially rectify that here and partially just take advantage of the way the rule was written

. First of all, I would (and you can hold me to this) consult with BOTH the SMC and the President. Ideally, the three of us could come to a consensus decision, but ultimately I may have to decide on my own (if all three of us disagree and the two of them end up split).

As for ending wars, I would consider the advice of the SMC to be paramount (he's the one running the troops around), though some may consider the coming administration to be an exception with Aggie the likely President

. Ultimately, however, I am entirely comfortable making the call on my own.

Making a conjecture for a moment, I think it would be fair to say that Thud (the likely SMC) is more peace-friendly than myself and Aggie (the likely President) is perhaps more war-friendly. Ultimately, I could end up having to make the call and I'm entirely comfortable with that. And I would be willing to stand for the result of my decision either way. OBVIOUSLY, if the decision is to be made between chats, I would consider it the correct course to consult with members of the Senate where possible (and where they are interested in the specific turn the war ends on).

(f) Any trade, exchange, or gift that involves giving away gold must be approved by either the Senate or the President.

I would certainly consult with the President, but my personal bias would be (if possible) to consult with the Senate. Obviously, the Senate isn't likely going to care about the VAST MAJORITY of trades with AI civs, so I'd see the President for most of them. However, I would consider it my duty to post the plans publicly for comment at the very least. I happen to be a big sticklery for what is called "institutional transparency", meaning that the people in the rank-and-file know what's going on at the top and why. I think my report on events from the last turnchat is a good example of how I at least ATTEMPT to get down all of the relevant information.

(g) Any trade, exchange, or gift that involves giving away workers must be approved by either the Domestic Minister or the President.

This is pretty non-controversial. Quite frankly, whether it's GhengisFarb or E_T, I'd be willing to defer largely to their wishes in regards to whether we should be selling workers or buying workers and how many, etc.

(h) Any trade, exchange, or gift that involves giving away cities must be approved by either the Senate or the President.

I cannot forsee us EVER giving away cities, though it is remotely possible (there were some oddball strategies posted somewhere a while back on cultureflipping a city and selling it different civs over and over... I'm not a fan of this oddball strategy, though I'm always open to being convinced by hard data).

Don't plan on EVER seeing a city sold under my tenure unless there's a VERY COMPELLING reason for it. Obviously, the Senate and the President are in this for that reason

.

(i) The Foreign Affairs Minister may enter into any Military Alliance, Trade Embargo, or Mutual Protection Pact, but only with prior approval by the Senate.
(j) The Foreign Affairs Minister may appoint deputy ministers.

This is by far the most controversial area of the FAM job. Thankfully, even if you don't like what I think about this issue, it's the Senate that ultimately decides this issue.

That said, I would propose to the Senate signing MPP's only in the following situations:

1. We (or someone else) are/is within 1-2 turns of completing the United Nations. If this is the case and we want a diplomatic victory, we just get as many MPP's as humanly possible in that last turn before the U.N. is done - game victory. This obviously won't be happening in Term VI

2. I would consider asking the Senate if they want an MPP if it looked like we could use said MPP to manuever ourselves into doing something like being allied with Germany in a war against Greece (or the other way around). For instance, it would be possible to sign an MPP with say Germany (if they're willing) and cause a diplomatic incident with Greece to start the war, causing Germany to be allied with us against Greece. This, in my opinion, is really the one and only true use for MPPs when you are the dominant power (divide and conquer).

3. If, by some horrible turn of luck, we end up being markedly inferior in military force, it may be valuable to sign an MPP with at least one of the other major powers in Abananaba Major for the following reason: If either of us are attacked, we fight *together* agiainst other powers. The best allies would be Germany and Greece (hoping to pit one against the other, as with #2). I highly doubt this possibility, however.

-----------------------------

This all said, however, the most important factors about me to consider:

1. I am strongly committed to transparency in democratic government. You can count on extensive reports on any decisions made by the Ministry.
2. I have no difficulty with delegating authority. I believe that I would likely make AT LEAST my primary Deputy Minister (the Vice Minister) responsible for double-checking all numbers on trades (so that two of us are doing it). I have a v1.21 because I'm currently filling in for President MrWIA as the executive at turnchats (through the end of this term).
3. It is my intention to work closely with the Senate. This is not merely rhetoric, as I specifically plan to help bring together a group of Senators to serve as an advisory body for the FAM as well as the group I would turn to in order to post polls (Senate Bills) and conduct discussions on options. As stated above, it is also my intention to work with any leaders that eventually arise in the Senate to organize budgetary policy. Though obviously all of the ministers would need to consult with them.
4. It is also my intention to consult with the other elected members of the cabinet on any pertinent policy that may impact them. I generally try to always consult every possible official party affected by a decision before I make it. I think those present at the turnchat this weekend can vouch for that

My approach to executive leadership is very much a consensus-building approach over a confrontational approach (which differs to some extent from my legislative leadership style

).

I am open to questions, as I'm not quite sure what else I'm going to add to such a long post at this point

. So, fire away with the questions

----------------------------------------------

Well, I posted first...

However, that does give my opponent the benefit of being able to respond

**Arnelos** · November 12, 2002, 01:26

This is the SECOND election where I'm up against the publisher of the Gazette.

I'm getting the impression that someone must think I'm the reincarnation of Skyalker

(meaning the Apolyton poster who used that name)

**Arnelos** · November 12, 2002, 01:33

adaMada, I just tried to respond to your PM, but your inbox is full.

**adaMada** · November 12, 2002, 07:41

Originally posted by Arnelos
adaMada, I just tried to respond to your PM, but your inbox is full.

Sorry Arnelos, I'll empty it.

Expect longer statements and answers to questions from me later today

.

-- adaMada

**UnOrthOdOx** · November 12, 2002, 10:41

Both: What are your feelings towards the proposed war on Germany? (see war academy thread, too hung over to get the link)

Both: Shaka wishes to know what your plans are to improve relations with him personally.

**E_T** · November 12, 2002, 12:24

Both: What would be your Monitary maximum limit per tech to purchace Technologies from the AI? Minumum to Sell? The same with WM, TM, Luxes & Resources?

E_T

**joncnunn** · November 12, 2002, 15:32

Also to both, what would be your time frame for buying the techs we need to finish the middle ages?

And how muich of a priority would you make buying Nationalism once we can?

And would we make buying in a GPT deal prefered for a civ we are trying to get to declare war on us, or else purposely advoid doing so, or else just buy from whoever we can get it the cheapest?

**Arnelos** · November 12, 2002, 16:00

Originally posted by UnOrthOdOx
Both: What are your feelings towards the proposed war on Germany? (see war academy thread, too hung over to get the link)

While I have typically been opposed to wars, I can see the merit in going to war with Germany. I agree with many, however, in that I believe that we need more than 20 cavalry for this job - should it be done.

That said, the decision on whether to go to wardoesn't seem to be under the FAM in the NewCon, but rather exclusively a decision of the Senate (and the President). Obviously, if FAM, I'd hope to be consulted (not like they could get me to shut up even if they tried

), but ultimately this is the Senate's decision.

The area where the new FAM will have a lot more impact is in setting up the conditions for war. This is an area that is likely to be controversial for some:

Especially if we are unable to field more than 20 cavalry, or some other inadequate number, for the purpose of such a war (should it be fought at all), then I would certainly consider signing alliances against Germany with neighboring states such as the Aztecs, England, and Greece. Perhaps even sign such agreements with Russia and/or Rome (even though they cannot help out). The reasoning is rather simple: To prevent Germany from getting other AIs to declare war on us, the best option (especially if the war objective is to WIPE OUT Germany) is to ally with those same AI civs against Germany. This both prevents them from allying against us AND gives us diplomatic bonus with those civs during the duration of the war.

The only downside to such a diplomatic strategy is that some German cities could end up falling to Greek, Aztec, and English forces rather than to our own. This IS a disadvantage and one we should consider. HOWEVER, it is my belief (though the Senate does get the final word on this stuff

) that the risk of having Greece, England AND Germany all at war with us at the same time is far worse than ending up with 1-3 German cities under Aztec, English, or Greek rule when we get all of the rest.

The only other matter that concerns a potential war with Germany that would concern me, as FAM, would be when the war would END. I am of the opinion that such a war should only end when:

1. The military objectives have been met. I assume the military objective is to remove Germany as a technology leader and to completely annex it quickly (to reduce time with rising war weariness as much as possible). As such, I would only end the war when Germany is COMPLETELY ANNIHILATED.

2. When it becomes clear that the stated military objectives (I assume German annihilation) are impossible or highly improbable of being accomplished. IF we allied with Germany's other neighbors, this would be near on to impossible, but ANYTHING is possible and I'd be willing to consider an early peace if it looks like the war is going to turn against us and our attack completely and utterly failed (the SMC in disgrace, etc, etc, etc.).

If I was to attempt to continue wars beyond their usefulness in obtaining the stated military objectives or trying to end them pre-maturely before the stated military objectives are met, I'd just be messing with the SMC's war plans as well as messing with national interest (especially if we'd end up taking a HUGE reputation hit for cancelling any alliances against Germany).

Both: Shaka wishes to know what your plans are to improve relations with him personally.

Shaka should know that Apolytonia is interested in bringing his people some of the benefits of the Apolytonian enlightenment. We are interested in his supply of gems and MIGHT be willing to provide tidbits of enlightenment in return. Just how that would take place is something that will have to be decided in conjunction with the Senate.

**Arnelos** · November 12, 2002, 16:29

Originally posted by E_T
Both: What would be your Monitary maximum limit per tech to purchace Technologies from the AI?

MAXIMUM TO PURCHASE TECHS

Togas' current level of 600 gold has been good for the Middle Ages, but the inflation in the price of techs as we enter the Industrial Age will make (and indeed already has made) this number far too low.

I believe that the answer to this question will be highly dependent upon the decision of the populace in the official science slider poll. Should the populace tie, of course, I happen to be in the unique position (as acting president in the turnchats) to break that tie under the current term until likely Aggie takes over as President for the next term and can make a more permanent decision. However, I find it unlikely that I will end up breaking that tie (and don't know yet which way I'd decide if I did - both arguments are very compelling...)

Ultimately, it is quite likely that we will have to choose a course where we research some technologies in the Industrial Age (most likely ones the AI typically does not go after) and trading for or buying others.

IF WE HAVE 0% SCIENCE SLIDER:

Obviously, we're going to be needing to buy technologies. With the prevailing price of the average tech right now exceeding 1200 Gold and the price to likely skyrocket in the early Industrial Age to over 2000 Gold, I would not consider a maximum of 1500-2000 unreasonable, especially if we're making over 900 gold per turn as E_T claims. That said, I would hope that we would every other available bargaining chip (especially resources and luxuries) to reduce the price where-ever possible.

IF THE HAVE 60% SCIENCE SLIDER:

It would be reasonable to keep the limit at under 1000 Gold for now in order to research either Theory of Gravity or Magnetism and purchase the other one. As for Nationalism, the gold limit would have to be raised unless we could get it cheaper as part of a deal for an alliance against presumably Germany, luxury sale, resource sale, or other deal. I would think that research would be toward Medicine or Steam Engine, which if we got first (there's always a chance...), we could trade to the AIs for a vastly reduced price on something like Communism.

ULTIMATELY:

My goal would be to get us to the point where we have tech parity with the AI around the time that Corporation, Sanitation, Replaceable Parts, and Scientific Method, and Atomic Theory are being researched. At this point, it would be POSSIBLE to research and establish UNSELLABLE TECHNOLOGIES, such as Atomic Theory and Electronics (especially if we can use Theory of Evolution to get them first... though I sorta doubt it). If we did that, we could have a very high maximum on tech buys and buy stuff like Corporation, Refining, and Steel while researching up to Electronics and start construction on Hoover Dam.

However, I doubt this possibility and believe that we will likely have to research technologies and use every tech we reserach to bargain in trades for additional technologies (which will certainly GREATLY reduce the maximum I'd allow for tech buys).

Minumum to Sell?

This will also inflate as we head into the Industrial Age and, as I said above, we MAY (just may, crossing my fingers!) be able to eventually establish UNSELLABLE technologies. However, in the near future, I believe the current value of 75 gold is reasonable, though will need to be inflated to a figure between 100 gold and 200 gold in the Industrial Age. Personally, I would be biased toward a high figure. Exceptions could be made if we can get luxuries (such as gems from the Zulus) or critical resources out of an AI civ for an older tech.

Ultimately, we MAY want to establish a civ as one we will sell NO TECHNOLOGY TO as a means of attempting to halt their development while we prepare to invade them. If it looks like the populace is in favor of a Zulu invasion, I may very well do this with the Zulus until just before a war starts (to perhaps sell a tech to empty out their treasury).

The same with WM, TM, Luxes & Resources?

The current minimum of 50 gold to sell luxuries or resources has worked for the late Middle Ages (for the most part), but is far too low for the Industrial Age. If we're selling a luxury for 50 gold and then we could have used the same luxury to reduce the cost on a critical technology by a few hundred gold, we've made a mistake.

In my opinion, as we enter the Industrial Age, the minimum should be at least partially dependent on the size of the empire we're selling to and a reasonable minimum would be 100 gold for now. That may very well rise as we move later into the game, as most luxury and resource deals later on will garner us as much as 20-50 LPT in the late Industrial Age. It would be a wate to sell a luxury to the Iroquois for 5 LPT when we could have sold the same one to the Romans for 35 LPT. A large part of how low I would be willing to accept a trade deal will be dependent upon the international demand/supply of the luxury/resource.

As for worldmaps, at this point it's really just a simple matter of mapwhoring. There is no longer (unless we find an island with oil on it no-one else knows about) any compelling strategic reason to withold our worldmap from people. As such, we should just continue exploring with those boats, buying up a bunch of worldmaps, and then selling our worldmap to every single civ in the game.

The reason to sell to ALL civs (if they give us even 1 gold for them) is that you prevent the AI civs from then selling to each other and moving gold from the smaller civs to our competitors (instead, we get it). It's important to deny our major competitors every drop of gold that we can.

**Arnelos** · November 12, 2002, 16:37

Originally posted by joncnunn
Also to both, what would be your time frame for buying the techs we need to finish the middle ages?

I think I partially already answered this question in my answer to Unorthodox, but here's a go on the timing question:

Regardless of whether we end up with 0% or 60%, I would heavily lobby for the FAM to get the needed funds for us to enter the Industrial Age at the earliest possible date. The sooner that we are able to research a tech that no-one else already has, the better.

If we have 0% science, we buy both.
If we have 60% science, we buy the one we aren't researching.
In either case, I'd be happy with paying as much as 1000 Gold to get them - we need to get out of the Middle Ages and start researching something they don't have (probably Medicine).

And how muich of a priority would you make buying Nationalism once we can?

Depends on how fast we get out of the Middle Ages. If we're slow at it, buying it may be the best option (and the price will certainly be over 1000 Gold - perhaps as high as 1500 or more).

If we do this right, however, we could research Medicine on our own and trade for Nationalism and Steam Engine (to different AIs on the same turn) and dramatically reduce the price. We'll probably still have to pitch in some cash for it, but it'll be worth it.

We need nationalism for riflemen and we need steam engine for rail roads. Both are military NECESSITIES.

And would we make buying in a GPT deal prefered for a civ we are trying to get to declare war on us, or else purposely advoid doing so, or else just buy from whoever we can get it the cheapest?

Ultimately, we should buy from whomever offers us the cheapest price. However, if we're about to declare war on Germany and they'll give us a decent LPT deal on a tech we want (say Communism or Industrialization), then why not? Especially if it means we don't have to sell them one of our own techs (likely Medicine or by that point Electricity) to get it.

**adaMada** · November 12, 2002, 18:24

Re: FAM Campaign Thread

Campeign Statement:

NewCon
3 The Foreign Affairs Minister

In general, I think Togas has set a good example for the FAM. I don't mean to say that I won't innovate or try new things, but I think he was a good example of an efficient, effective FAM, and I plan to bring a lot of his philosophies with me from my time serving under him.

(a) The Foreign Affairs Minister has sole power over exchanges and trade agreements with other nations.

In general, I'd like to continue our current policy. Our trading has combined with our military might to make us a dominant force; I want to see this continue. We should continue to liberally trade our excess luxuries and resources -- through this strategy, we've become a rich nation, which has allowed us to prosper in other areas.

(b) The Foreign Affairs Minister may spend gold to establish embassies, but only after the approval of either the President or Senate.

In general, I'm for embassies. We have them with almost everyone now, but I think they're quite important for a diplomatic nation. I would continue Togas' policy of spreading establishments out over time until .

(c) The Foreign Affairs Minister may spend gold on Espionage, but only after the approval of either the President or Senate.

Espionage is, in general, very expensive and risky. Having said that, we are a rich nation. Any espionage decisions will have to be made in consideration of the situation, the nation we'd be spying on, and the state of our nation. As such, I really can't say much meaningful about it now

.

(d) The Foreign Affairs Minister may enter into Right of Passage Agreements, but only after the approval of either the President or Supreme Military Commander.

I was a proponent of signing a RoP agreement with Persia to ensure peaceful relations with them, back before the French war.

I'm not above admitting I was totally wrong. As those who were around then know, Persia declared war on us anyway, leading to a very long and painful conflict.

In general, I see little use for RoPs. They are an invitation for enemy units to go running through our lands, while also giving the AI the ability to get in our way. As such, I'm generally against them. I might be willing to make exception for some of the Lost Civs, as there is little chance that they'll be able to use this to their advantage, but I'd have to see profit in it first, which I don't see now. And, as Arnelos pointed out (and reminded me

), there are always situations where we might want a civilization to pass through our territory to reach another. Either way, I’d probably take any such plans as they came.

(e) The Foreign Affairs Minister negotiates peace agreements, but only after the approval of either the President or Supreme Military Commander.

On war and peace, in general: (I understand that the power to declare war is given to the Senate, but the power to end war is equally important, so here's what I think in general)
I'm an independent. I favor war when I see the gain, and peace when I do not. I will always take the time to hear the will of the people, the Military, and the Presidency before making any decision on the matter. In general, I'm a strong believer in keeping our options open. For the immediate future, I'd like to see us build up our nation more, but I'd always be willing to consider a just war (one they started

), or any war with clear gain for our nation, beyond a few more cities.

(f) Any trade, exchange, or gift that involves giving away gold must be approved by either the Senate or the President.

I plan to make many trades. We have a strong economy, and as long as we do, I intend to pay cash for many things, within the confines of the budget and needs of the other ministers. Gold is quickly replaced, and it is pointless to have unless we plan to use it (with the possible exception of after we have Wall Street

).

(g) Any trade, exchange, or gift that involves giving away workers must be approved by either the Domestic Minister or the President.

In the past, I've seen several trades where we've saved serious amounts of money by including a worker. As such, I plan to request that we use them whenever there is benefit to doing so. On the flip side, if we can get a worker for a good amount of money, I will be strongly in favor of acquiring it -- we can always use a stronger workforce. By both selling workers when it is worthwhile and buying workers when it is possible, we can use our Workers to our advantage while also reinforcing our worker force.

(h) Any trade, exchange, or gift that involves giving away cities must be approved by either the Senate or the President.

In 1.21f, giving away cities is practically useless. If we ever were in a nasty military conflict which we were loosing, I could see myself considering giving the enemy a small (perhaps just created) city for peace -- but I doubt that'll happen this term, and I don't see the need to focus on any such plan anyway

.

(i) The Foreign Affairs Minister may enter into any Military Alliance, Trade Embargo, or Mutual Protection Pact, but only with prior approval by the Senate.

I have mixed feelings about Military Alliances. If we ever want to destroy a nation more then we want to take something away from a nation, a Military Alliance will be very useful.

I am generally against Mutual Protection Pacts. I don't like putting ourselves at the risk of war at any time, and the AI doesn't have an especially good track record for not pulling its allies into war

. I could see it as a possibility – but a remote one. Perhaps if we had the strongest military, were bloodthirsty, and didn’t care who our target was…

I have few feelings about Trade Embargos at this time. If one ever seems appropriate, I'll consider the merits at that time.

(j) The Foreign Affairs Minister may appoint deputy ministers.

I have many plans for organizing the Foreign Ministry. Primarily, I plan keep the Department split into Intelligence, Advisory, and Executive branches. The Intelligence Branch should be largely concerned with tracking and analyzing raw data for the public and department. The Advisory Branch should be responsible for planning and assessment of situation. The Executive Branch's job is to coordinate between the other two branches, write orders, and make final decisions. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the organizational system I have in mind, with the understanding that it will be similar to Togas' and I haven't totally ironed it out yet. I will also consider the merits (or lack of) of appointing a Representative to the Senate and/or a Representative to the Executive. Under the new CoL, the Foreign Minister (rightly) must defer to other bodies in many instances, and if I believe that there is sufficient work to appoint a full time representative, I will gladly appoint one.

I ask everyone to remember that my comments here are only my first brush thoughts. I am a very strong believer in assessing each situation as it occurs, and I obviously can’t say that the opinions expressed above won’t change. I feel that we utilize our strengths as a group best by keeping open minds and listening to each other, and this will be a guiding policy if I am elected FAM.

I will do my best to answer any questions in this thread. Best of luck to Arnelos, who would also be wonderful for the position, and all the other candidates

.

-- adaMada

**Arnelos** · November 12, 2002, 18:56

Any more questions from the citizens?

----------------

At this point (given that the election polls will be posted today), I only have one question for my opponent (everything else I believe voters can already see from our two statements and my answers to citizen questions):

What impact will your becoming FAM have upon your new position as the publisher of the Jungle Gazette (or the other way around)?

(the same question was asked of Unortho when he ran against me)

**adaMada** · November 12, 2002, 19:08

First thing first: Let me go ahead and say that my answers will not be as long as Arnelos' are

. I'm not sure if this is good or bad

.

Now, answers to questions:

UnOrthO,
I'll answer your questions as soon as I've had a bit more time to examine the discussion and situation

.

Originally posted by E_T
Both: What would be your Monitary maximum limit per tech to purchace Technologies from the AI? Minumum to Sell? The same with WM, TM, Luxes & Resources?

E_T

I will probably wind up setting some maximum limit for decisions by deputies in the chat, but in general I don't plan to obey a set maximum limit. The amount we are willing to pay will vary from tech to tech, based on what we need and what the tech is worth. For example, if we're planning to go to more, I'd generally be willing to pay much more for Military Tradition then I would for Free Artistry -- simply because Military Tradition would be a more pressing concern. Though I'm sure that a practical maximum limit will have to be set, I don't plan on picking a number and going with it -- I feel that any such limit should be flexible, and based on what people are asking for and the worth of the tech. I feel similarly towards luxuries -- I'd be more willing to sell cheaply a luxury that isn't in demand and we have a surplus of than one that we have one extra of and are the only person on our continent with. When it comes to selling items, I agree that we cannot afford to sell things at a loss simply because the AI doesn't have enough money to pay us the worth of the item. We should combine as many deals as possible, even if it means delaying some renewals until a given turn. If we can synchronize our renewals, we'll be able to extract the maximum value from the AI.

Originally posted by joncnunn
Also to both, what would be your time frame for buying the techs we need to finish the middle ages?

And how muich of a priority would you make buying Nationalism once we can?

And would we make buying in a GPT deal prefered for a civ we are trying to get to declare war on us, or else purposely advoid doing so, or else just buy from whoever we can get it the cheapest?

I plan to make all important tech trades as soon as is possible. In this case, it depends a lot on what happens with the Science slider -- I could see us buying some of the last Middle age techs within the next few turns if the science Slider is put to 0%. Again, I'm not terribly fond of giving exact numbers because so much depends on the situation -- I do plan on making buying these techs a top priority, as soon as we are either willing to pay exuberant prices for them or the price drops.

Nationalism is a very important tech -- and would receive a good deal of attention from the Foreign Ministry. Again, I'd be willing to put a significant amount of money into it so that we can get it as soon as possible.

In general, I prefer hard gold to GPT deals. Having said that, I'd clearly consider exceptions. If we believe a Civ may declare war on us in the near future, I'd probably go with GPT. If we're trying to get a civ to declare war on us, then going with GPT could cause the Civ to not declare war on us, so we'd have to consider carefully. If we're going to declare war on a different civilization, then GPT must clearly be avoided at all costs. As I've said, I'm flexible -- if someone can give a good reason for GPT over gold, I'd always be willing to consider it.

-- adaMada

**adaMada** · November 12, 2002, 19:22

Originally posted by Arnelos
Any more questions from the citizens?

----------------

At this point (given that the election polls will be posted today), I only have one question for my opponent (everything else I believe voters can already see from our two statements and my answers to citizen questions):

What impact will your becoming FAM have upon your new position as the publisher of the Jungle Gazette (or the other way around)?

(the same question was asked of Unortho when he ran against me)

Clearly, life is a balance. Within the Demogame, I shed and accept responsibilities each Term.

I feel that FAM is a very important position. It will clearly cut into my time for the Gazette, and I can't deny that I'll wind up with a lot more time to funnel into the Gazette should I loose. Having said that, I hope to balance both. Though I publish the Gazette, Meshelic is the primary Editor, meaning that I don't play nearly as large a role as UnOrthOdOx did. Circumstance demanded that I write many articles for this Gazette, but if I don't have much time in the future, I hope to see most of the articles being written by others, with my major job becoming publishing the gazette itself. Furthermore, several old Gazette staffers have returned and recently announced that they could resume publication, meaning that I may be able to take an even less active role in the future.

If push comes to shove, FAM has to come first. It is the elected position, and I can always turn to help for the Gazette. Having said that, the Gazette is a community project -- not mine. I hope that all of my (and UnOrthO's) projects can continue to live, with the guidance and support of the community.

People have been known to achieve more as a result of working with others than against them.
-- Dr. Allan Fromme

-- adaMada

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